A rowdy man was on Thursday accused in court of setting fire to a cell while under arrest at a police station.

Zeaid Mohamed Abuzoda, 38, who is well-known to police stationed in the St Paul’s Bay area, was arrested on Wednesday for drunk and disorderly behaviour.

Sources said Mr Abuzoda smashed a window at the St Paul’s Bay police station while under arrest, and tried to cut himself with the broken glass.

He also set fire to a mattress in the cell where he was being held, using a lighter.

Wearing bloodied hospital scrubs, Mr Abuzoda was arraigned under a heavy police presence on Wednesday.

He loudly pleaded his innocence, and at one point, had to be calmed down by magistrate Grazio Mercieca. On being denied bail, Mr Abuzoda shouted that he was being discriminated against.

It took several police officers to escort him out of court and usher him into an awaiting car.

The scene outside the courts attracted several onlookers.  Inspector Godwin Scerri prosecuted.